Marion city department purchasing limits raised

MARION -- The threshold of when purchases by city departments must be cleared by a City Council vote was raised from $5,000 to $7,500, under an ordinance adopted in a 5-0 vote on Monday night by the Marion City Council.

Treasurer Steve Hale said the raised limits would keep up with costs and allow department supervisors more leeway in making routine purchases, particularly for large bulk buys, such as chemicals for the sewer and water departments.

As set into an ordinance about 10 years ago, spending limits were $1,000 for small departments and $3,000 for the large departments before approval was sought from the supervising city commissioner, mayor or city administrator. Hale said the new ordinance adds another tier, with small departments still at $1,000 but $3,000 for "intermediate" departments and $5,000 for the biggest.

With the new ordinance, City Council action is needed if the expenditures are more than $7,500, which is an increase of $2,500.

In addition, any purchase under $100 will not require a purchase order, Hale said.

Mayor Anthony Rinella noted that the measure will help supervisors act quickly, especially in emergencies, without having to seek approval.

In other business, the council, with Rinella, Angelo Hightower, Doug Patton, Jim Webb and John Goss, approved the following in 5-0 votes:

• The listing of an opening in the Treasurer's Office, due to the transfer of an employee to another department.

• The payment of $29,340 for a 2019 Ford Explorer for the Police Department. The sport-utility vehicle will replace a 2015 Ford Taurus that was totaled in a recent wreck. Police Chief Dawn Tondini said the matter was urgent because the Ford Explorer production line was soon going to shift to making electric vehicles. The cost of the new SUV is $35,715, minus $6,375 from the insurance on the wrecked patrol car.

• Speed bumps on Suzanne Drive, following the presentation of a petition signed by 18 residents.

• Consensus for the city to host the Pony Baseball and Softball Colt World Series in 2020 and 2021.